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In Part 1 of this series we heard from our Chase the Race 2016 Student Reporters and National News Team, as they spoke out on the issues they consider most significant. Today we broaden our focus and explore ideas and priorities expressed by other teens across the country.
The Issues
TIME Magazine’s recent study on The American Teenager in 2015 identified three primary issues for today’s teens: racism, the realities of a digital world, and uncertainty about their future. These findings echo many of the concerns voiced by our Chase the Race 2016 teens, whose “Big 3” were Employment, the Economy and Equality.
According to the TIME study, racial tensions are still evident to many teens, and they feel these issues will persist in the future, especially in light of recent shooting incidents involving police officers and minority youths. The study quoted 13-year old Dayahna Camacho, saying, “You’re constantly being judged for, like, absurd things – your skin color, how you dress...”
The teens in the study said it’s harder to be a teen now than in 1965 (when TIME conducted a similar study). Their technology-dominated world forces them to be always “on” and always available. They know their mistakes could live forever on the Internet, perhaps haunting them in future relationships or job interviews. They’re also aware of how their digital lifestyle could take a toll on in-person interactions.
Adults clearly aren’t the only ones worried about the economy. TIME said, “Today’s teens are coming of age in the shadow of the largest financial calamity since the Great Depression. College tuition, room and board has increased more than tenfold since 1965, according to the Department of Education. [For teens today,] choosing a college is more about pragmatism than pursuing a dream. There’s also an anxiety about the world that will be waiting after college.” The study quoted 17-year-old Jacob Lamb: “I feel like a college degree is worth a lot less than it was. There’s a lot more people competing for the same jobs.”
StageofLife.com also produced a report on the opinions of today’s youth, based on teen entries in a recent writing contest, which focused on organizations making a difference in our world. In the report, entitled Making a Difference: How Teens Feel About Real World Issues, four core themes emerged:
- Curing disease
- Healthy living and a healthy self-image
- Poverty
- Animal rights
Teens in Politics
In our blog, Are Teens Interested in Politics?, we found that while politically-active teens may be in the minority, they still have a strong presence and voice – and most of them are determined to help their peers see the importance of getting involved.
Garrett Wiehler, a member of the class of 2017, agrees. He writes, “Many high school students don’t appear to be interested in the 2016 presidential election, but they can and should be… high school students will most likely be getting their first jobs, going to college… and buying their first homes under the president elected in 2016.”
Garrett quotes a Lancer Media Poll, which asked teens to comment on key issues in the election. 32% said immigration was #1, 20% said the economy, and 8% said that politics is turning into a series of publicity stunts and money grabs. 20% had no opinion.
Garrett’s final advice to teens: “educate yourself.”
Make a Difference
Many teen comments that we found focused on making a difference in the world. 17-year-old naturalist Bindi Irwin, now famous for her win on Dancing with the Stars, summed up the sentiments of many teens when she wrote: “As a young person, I want to make a difference in our world, and be the change I wish to see... We are the next voters, the next decision makers, and the next generation to be changing the world. We must create positive change today, if we want a beautiful world tomorrow. I know that personally I want clean air, fresh drinking water, and an abundance of wildlife for my children and my grandchildren.”
Let Our Voice Be Heard
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